Time for our monthly meeting of the Insecure Writer's Support Group! Hosted as ever by Alex J. Cavanaugh, the aim of the group is to offer a safe space where writers can share doubts and insecurities without fear of being judged. This month's co-hosts are Kim Lajevardi, Natalie Aguirre, Nancy Gideon, and Diedre Knight.
Apologies for missing last month, I haven't been the most organised lately!
I'm going to skip the IWSG question this month because I feel like I've already given my thoughts on this topic. Instead, I'm going to lean into this topic of organisation and how this might pertain to writing a book (the oldfashioned, human way - no outside artificial assistance!). Since leaving hospital at the beginning of the year, I've wanted to start writing a story, which is currently standing at around 35,000 words - doesn't seem like great progress, but it took a while before I was up to do anything. I would also like to dive into edits on my previously completed work, but working on two books at the same time has proven tricky, even when they're at very different stages. Lately I decided to set a goal of finishing 5,000 words of new writing per week, which would have taken me to my word count goal of 70,000 by October 10th (which also happens to me daughter's birthday). This went well for a couple of weeks, even taking time on the weekend to meet my goals. This week, though, I've struggled to get just 250 words down. Why? I'm not sure why my inspiration has taken a dip. Maybe the change in season, although I usually find autumn inspiring. Maybe it's just that dreaded midpoint sag. There are several ways the stories could go, so maybe it's a paralysis of choice, although that's better than being at a total dead end.
Maybe, overall, although organisation and goals are good for a writer, we need to accept there are days it's not happening - and even if you only get 250 words down that move the story forward, that's more productive than 1,000 that end up in the trash bin. Writing 1,000 words isn't a menial task such as delivering a certain number of parcels per day, to invoke a job I dabbled in before getting ill. Of course it's a balance because I don't want a book to drag on forever, but I think if I spend every day moving forward, even just thinking about where I could go next, that's more important than mechanically hitting a word count.
What's your thoughts on organisation as a writer? Must you be inspired to write? Is a daily word goal important to you?
Look forward to hearing your thoughts, and as ever, you can find other entrants to the IWSG bloghop here!
I agree with you that there are times when writing isn't happening. I'm struggling to fix a sag in my last ten chapters, which I just edited. I'm am not very inspired to work on it right now.
ReplyDeleteI hear you. Some days are just tough. I have exercises for when I'm struggling -- free writing with no inhabitions or expectations, and sometimes that helps. However, we're only human, eh?
ReplyDeleteSometimes you just have to step away from your WIP to regroup/refresh your thoughts. Forced work is forced at best. Better to take a walk, go to a movie, just sit outside and breathe deep to clear your mind until your imagination starts to flow. Or just write (then something happens) and skip ahead.
ReplyDeleteIt helps to be inspired. Fatigue, both physical and mental, can hinder my drafting. Maybe take a break and give yourself permission to rest and or do something fun? You went through a LOT. It's going to take your body time to recover.
ReplyDeleteChatGPT is free and good for brainstorming. You don't have to copy and paste the output, Just reading it can set your mind to churning with ideas and get you unstuck.
Some days are like that. I just aim to produce something every time I sit down to write. Then I'm not disappointed if it's not a lot.
ReplyDeleteHi Nick - well I''m glad you're writing again - these downtimes happen and you've a lot going on ... slow but sure will win! Good luck - cheers Hilary
ReplyDeleteSetting goals helps me through sticky writing times. Glad you're out of the hospital and working on a book. Two very positive things.
ReplyDeletehttps://cleemckenziebooks.substack.com/
Organization always helps, but yeah, it's important to be flexible and know that is ok.
ReplyDeleteI go through periods like that when I struggle to get things down. Usually I have to step away, do something different, or lately what's worked for me is to either write down ideas for the scene or hand write the scene. When I get stuck--and especially if it lasts--it's often a sign for me that I know deep down that something isn't work with that scene or chapter.
ReplyDeleteLOL! If we wrote only when inspired there were be a lot less books in the world.
ReplyDeleteI don’t exactly wait for inspiration before I write, but there is no denying that sometimes the words don’t come easily.
ReplyDeleteI’ve found putting my butt in the chair even when I’m not inspired produces more words than I ever think it will. Sometimes, the words start slow, and then something just clicks to keep them flowing.
ReplyDeleteEveryone has their own way of working. Whatever works best for you is what works, eh? I'm sorry you've been having trouble. Hopefully you're blocks will clear up sooner rather than later.
ReplyDeleteSorry to hear you were in the hospital. My goal is to write at least a half hour a day, but that can be on my blog, or my WIP, or just journaling. I figure that way, I'm still flexing my writing muscle even if I don't feel inspired to write the next chapter in my story.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're out of the hospital and hope you recover completely. I've been in the "infirmary" before and its no fun!
ReplyDeleteI try to write even when I'm not inspired, but there have been times when I've had a bad case of writers block and have had to ease off of the writing for a week. I won't ease off of it completely, I just won't write as much until my motivation and creativity rejuvenate.
You sound like you have a good organisation system.
Oh my gosh, Nick, this happens to me a lot. We need to crawl forward if we can and live with it if we can't. Staying positive is difficult during this time, for sure. You can do this, Nick. I know you can. Just accept it will be at a slower pace and never give up. You are too good a writer to do that. Positive thinking!
ReplyDeleteYou can't edit words that aren't written. So, yeah, gotta appreciate the small accomplishments. Some days, decent words will not appear. They also say that The Muse doesn't show up if the writer doesn't, so there's that.
ReplyDelete“Let’s strive to be better in September!” – Charmaine J. Forde #quote
My new novelette came out on the ninth. Today is my #bookiversary for Fractions of Existence (urban fantasy).
My condiments post is on the A to Z site. Hope you're well!
J (he/him 👨🏽 or 🧑🏽 they/them) @JLenniDorner ~ Speculative Fiction & Reference Author and Co-host of the April Blogging #AtoZChallenge